Backup the Entire NVMe for Jetson Orin Nano

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties in backing up the entire NVMe drive of the Jetson Orin Nano. The primary symptoms include:

• Inability to create a backup image using the provided scripts, especially with JetPack 6, which is reported as broken.
• Users desire to back up their NVMe drives over a USB connection to an Ubuntu 20.04 host machine, facilitating easy restoration.
• Some users have considered detaching the NVMe drive and using an external reader, but are uncertain about its effectiveness.
• The problem occurs during attempts to use backup scripts located in the Linux_for_Tegra/tools/backup_restore directory.

The hardware specifications noted include a Jetson Orin Nano with a 128GB NVMe drive. The issue appears to be consistent across multiple users, significantly impacting their ability to restore systems after errors or misconfigurations.

Possible Causes

1. Software Bugs or Conflicts: The backup tools are reportedly broken in JetPack 6, leading to failures when users attempt to back up their drives.
2. Driver Issues: Incompatibilities between the JetPack version and the NVMe drive may prevent successful backups.
3. Configuration Errors: Users may not be using the correct commands or configurations needed for their specific setup.
4. Environmental Factors: Issues related to power supply or temperature might affect device performance during backup operations.
5. User Errors or Misconfigurations: Incorrect usage of commands (e.g., not placing the device in recovery mode) could lead to failed backup attempts.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify JetPack Version:

   • Check your L4T release version with:

     head -n 1 /etc/nv_tegra_release
     

   • Ensure you are using JetPack 5.x for compatibility with backup tools.

2. Backup Using Provided Scripts:

   • Navigate to the Linux_for_Tegra directory created by NVIDIA SDK Manager:

     cd ~/nvidia/nvidia_sdk/JetPack_...version.../Linux_for_Tegra/
     

   • Use the backup command appropriate for your JetPack version:
     • For JetPack 5.1.1:

       sudo ./tools/backup_restore/l4t_backup_restore.sh -b jetson-orin-nano-devkit
       

     • For JetPack 5.1.2 or later:

       sudo ./tools/backup_restore/l4t_backup_restore.sh -e nvme0n1 -b jetson-orin-nano-devkit
       

3. Using dd Command:

   • If you prefer a manual approach, you can use dd to clone your NVMe drive:

     sudo dd if=/dev/nvme0n1 of=/path/to/backup.img bs=64K conv=noerror,sync
     

   • Ensure that the NVMe drive is in read-only mode during this operation.

4. Alternative Backup Methods:

   • Consider using rsync for backing up files rather than creating an image:

     rsync -avz /source/directory /destination/directory
     

5. Recovery Mode Setup:

   • To use your Jetson as a USB NVMe reader, boot it into recovery mode by setting jumper pins appropriately.

6. Consult Documentation:

   • Review the README_backup_restore.txt file found in Linux_for_Tegra/tools/backup_restore/ for additional instructions and troubleshooting tips.

7. Check USB Connectivity:

   • Ensure that your USB connection is stable and that both devices recognize each other by running:

     lsusb
     

8. Patch Scripts if Necessary:

   • If issues persist, you may need to manually patch the backup scripts to ensure compatibility with your NVMe setup.

9. Reflashing Other Components:

   • Remember that backing up only the NVMe does not guarantee boot functionality; you may need to reflash other components of your system.

10. Further Investigation:

    • If problems remain unresolved, consider posting detailed logs and steps taken on forums for community assistance.

By following these steps and utilizing recommended methods, users can effectively back up and restore their Jetson Orin Nano systems while minimizing potential issues related to software compatibility and configuration errors.